Llais Cymru’s Welsh Women in Business Awards 2024, or #LlaisAwards as it’s now known, is an annual and national event organised by Machynlleth’s bilingual Marketing and PR company, Llais Cymru.Since 2020, the event has created an important and unique stage to celebrate and acknowledge the contribution of women in all kinds of businesses across Wales.
“Supporting and empowering women is incredibly important to me. Since launching this unique and much needed platform in 2020, we’ve received an incredible 6,500 nominationsfor women of all ages and in all kinds of businesses in all corners of Wales. Our event is a huge boost to these women, who are working tirelessly and juggling their businesses alongside family commitments and the health and physical challenges that we as women face at different times in our lives. It’s a challenging time for businesses, this makes it more important than ever to support each other and to inspire more women in Wales to follow their business dreams.”
Heulwen Davies, Founder and Director of Llais Cymru.
TheDevelopment Bank of Walesis the Awards’main sponsor again this year. The organisation is passionate about empowering women in business;
“We are very proud to be supporting Llais Cymru and to be the main sponsor for these special Awards once again this year. Supporting and helping more women in the business world is very important to us, and these Awards shine a light on the women who succeed and lead the way in their fields. It's important to us that we celebrate those having a positive impact on their community and local economy.”
Beverley Downes, Director of Marketing and Communications.
Cywain which part of Mentera, and Canolfan Yr Egin are also supporting the event once again this year. Several new sponsors have reached out to support this years event too including The Department for Business and Trade;
“The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) is the department for economic growth. The growth of successful female-led businesses is critical to the economy and our future. That is why we are excited to be part of this year’s Llais Cymru’s Welsh Women in Business Awards, celebrating women’s business growth, innovation, and success in Wales.”
Tony Taylor, Deputy Director Department of Business and Trade
There were 14 award categories this year, reflecting various sectors, as well asunique categories like Mum in Business, and Use of the Welsh Language. A new category this year is Menopause Champion, sponsored by Cylchgrawn Caramagazine, and celebrating those business women who recognise the challenges that women face in the workplace during this difficultperiod.
With almost 2,000 nominations this year, and in no particular order, here are the incredible women who have reched the final in this year’s Llais Cymru’r Welsh Women in Business Awards;
Green Business
Donna Graves, Micro Acres Wales, Pontypridd
Deborah Bedaida, Green Childminding, Cardiff
Menopause Champion
Louise Adams, Petals Training, Barry
Nia Haf Jones, Traed Fyny, Denbigh
Mum in Business
Angharad James, Fab Bears, Cardiff
Libby Leyshon, North Cornelly Playgroup, Bridgend
Health, Fitness and Wellbeing
Sara Davies, Sara Davies Sleep Consultant, Gwynedd
Carmen Gisca, Llandudno Smiles, Llandudno
Hair and Beauty
Ceri Wyn Jones, Cwt Bach Ceri, Rhyd-y-foel (*winner of this category in 2023)
Ffion Mai Jones, Ciwticwls, Llandygai(*winner of this category in 2022)
Under 25 years
Emily Doyle, em-broidery, Merthyr Tydfil
Tia Robbins, Tia Robbins Art, Bridgend (*winner of this category in 2023)
Retail Champion
Karen Hutchings, Goose Island, Swansea
Emma Doyle, Sweet William, Pontardawe
Use of the Welsh Language
Sara Roberts, Sensori Sara,Anglesey and Gwynedd
Manon Williams a Louise White, Angladdau Enfys Funerals, Bangor
New Business
Roxanne Phillips Floyd, MysTical InfuSions, Swansea
Einir Trimble, Einir Trimble Hypnotherapy, Aberystwyth
Food and Drink
Hannah Worth, Bowla, Aberystwyth
Gigi Gao, Favorite Authentic Chinese, Swansea
Science, Technology and Innovation
Deepa Sinah, GCRS, Cardiff
Helen Whiteland, The Big Science Project, Llanafan
Social Enterprise
Emma Mary Webster, Blue Horizon Surf, Pembrokshire
Kelly Simons Evans, Mini Miners Club, Ystrad Mynach
Photography, Art and Design
Steffi Andrews, Steffi Andrews Photography, Montgomeryshire
Justine Dodd, Cariad Glass, Llandysul
Leisure and Tourism
Shauna Davies a Gemma Hide,Tiny Tots Town, Llanelli
Tracey Toulmin, Bryn Woodlands House, Colwyn Bay(*winner of this category in 2023)
We look forward to welcoming the women to the awards ceremony in Yr Egin, Carmarthen on Friday the 20th of September to celebrate their success and to announce the winners of each category.
For further information, photos of last year’s event or to interview Heulwen or the women on this year’s shortlist, of if you would like to sponsor or attend the event, please email heulwen@llaiscymru.wales.
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